Malaysia burns illegal fishing boats to send a message

Move will beef up maritime security, deter foreign intrusion

0831N burning boat

Maritime officials set ablaze two fishing vessels in Kelantan on Wednesday. (Photo credit: MMEA)

CK TAN, Nikkei staff writer

KUALA LUMPUR --The Malaysian government said Wednesday that it has set fire to two illegal fishing boats from abroad after the conventional sinking method failed to prevent intrusion at sea.

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency took the drastic step for the first time in the South China Sea near Tok Bali in the northeastern state of Kelantan.

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